News and Rumors

In this exclusive BlackBerry World video interview, Alec Taylor, Vice President of Product Marketing at RIM, discusses how businesses are beginning to shift towards cloud services. He discusses overall insights into this trend, as well as specific details surrounding BlackBerry solutions which offer access to the new Microsoft Office 365 cloud-based opportunities.

Cloud service utilizes the network as a means to connect the user to resources that are based in the cloud. So one advantage of using the cloud, is the user can upload information to the cloud which will store that information for a later time. This is nice for easy access to files, and also freeing up memory for apps/software that isn't being used very often.

What I thought was most interesting, is how the general feel of what he was saying about RIM moving towards using a cloud service within the next couple years. I imagine that one of the first moves will be taking BBM and App World into the cloud using the BlackBerry ID.

• Discuss Cloud services with us in the BBOS Forum

RIM has decided to re-brand their userbase site MyBlackBerry under the new name BlackBerry Communities. I'm guessing they are trying to create a more social feel to the site to promote more user interaction. Also, the site has gotten a complete refresh which looks pretty good. Here is what the email says that was sent out by RIM to all MyBlackBerry registered users:

Do you like the change? Let us know what you think of the new BlackBerry Communities refresh!

• Discuss this with us in the BBOS Forum

Hello BBOS members and guests, it's time for our Weekly Recap for 6/5 - 6/11, 2011. Check out the official BBOS BlackBerry PlayBook Review, and get caught up on the news if you missed it! The links below are the "in a nutshell" of what happened in everything BlackBerry. Enjoy!

NOTICE: We are also currently looking for outgoing Writers and Moderators to join the BBOS team - Click here for more information on how to join.

• Discuss the Weekly Recap with us in the BBOS Forum

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• Torch 2 9810 and Torch 9850, 9860
• BlackBerry Torch 9860 OEM Parts Appear Online
• PlayBook to receive update version 1.0.5.2342 - Includes fix for Adobe Flash
• Video: BlackBerry Messenger vs iMessage - Side by Side Comparison
• Angry Birds in real life!
• Leaked: OS 6.0.0.600 for BlackBerry Bold 9700
• Leaked: OS 6.0.0.600 for the BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300
• Press Release: BlackBerry PlayBook Launching In 16 Additional Markets Over Next 30 Days
• BlackBerry PlayBook Review
• Accesory Review: OtterBox Commuter Series Case for Bold 9700/9780
• Apple and Google continue to gain on RIM's loss
• Social gaming company Scoreloop joins RIM
• BlackBery Desktop Manager updates to v6.1.0.35
• Data outages in your area?
• Video: Vodafone posts new BlackBerry Bold 9900 sneak peek
• BlackBerry PlayBook OS v1.0.5.2304 Update: Facebook Improvements, Language Support and More!
• Apple to challenge BBM with iMessage

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• HedoneDesign OS6Like Theme
• Bbt's TINT - Fast and flexible, with color - Supports OS6 devices!
• Theme - Bbt's SLATE - Fast, functional and flexible
• Review - Ocean by MMMOOO - 10 copies to give away!
• Bbt's Metro Black Theme - New features, faster than ever - Now supporting OS6!
• Bbt's Gloss Theme - Transform your BlackBerry device - Supports OS6 devices!
• Bbt's Aura v2.0 | New dock, more intuitive than ever

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• Univision Deportes App Now Available For BlackBerry PlayBook
• PrivacyStar for BlackBerry (1 Month Subscription)
• OneKeyMessage for BlackBerry
• Boxeemote app available for the BlackBerry PlayBook
• Ringtone Shuffler for BlackBerry
• Need For Speed: Undercover for PlayBook updates to v2.0
• BlackBerry PlayBook gets BlackBerry News app
• RepliGo Reader for BlackBerry - PDF viewer and more!
• LiveProfile updated to v1.0.22 beta
• Poynt for PlayBook updates to v1.1
• SugarSync for BlackBerry v2.0 now available!
• BlackBerry Bridge updated to v1.0.0.93
• Currency Exchange Rates for BlackBerry
• i-Phrase Chinese BlackBerry Edition (Visual & Talking Chinese Phrasebook)

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• Review - Ocean by MMMOOO - 10 copies to give away!
• Win a BlackBerry Torch with your Fancy Widgets app!
• Fancy Widgets for BlackBerry updates to v1.2 - 25 copies to giveaway!

As we wait for Angry Birds to invade our BlackBerry PlayBooks, T-Mobile gives us a entertaining commercial that depicts the Angry Birds game in real life. Watch how people use a simple smartphone to play a life-size version of the Angry Birds game - complete with real flying birds and exploding pigs!

• Discuss the Angry Birds game in the BBOS Forum

RIM announced today plans to launch the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet in an additional 16 markets around the world over the next 30 days. This comes as a great announcement just after I posted my BBOS PlayBook Review. Hooray world!!!

The BlackBerry PlayBook is scheduled to launch in:

• UK
• Netherlands
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Hong Kong
• Australia
• Venezuela
• Spain
• Germany
• UAE
• Singapore
• Mexico
• France
• Italy
• India
• Indonesia
• Colombia

Are you on the list? Let us know in the Forum whether you'll be getting the PlayBook!

Need for Speed: Undercover for PlayBook received a pretty big update jump from v1.3 to v2.0. No change log on the update, but being that it went to a v2 release there should either be some significant performance enhancements, or UI additions. Check your updates on your PlayBook and get updated. Be sure to let us know if you notice any changes in the comments.

• Download NFS: Undercover in BB App World
• Discuss any findings/fixes in the BBOS Forum